The zoo, which is considered the main one in Moscow, is one of the most visited establishments in the capital. Both indigenous people and curious tourists willingly come here. It is not difficult to get to the place - the entrance is at the Krasnopresnenskaya and Barrikadnaya metro stations.
History
It was founded around 1865. This happened with the filing of the Russian Imperial Society for the Acclimatization of Animals. It is important to say that this zoo is one of the oldest in Europe. He was able to survive many difficulties. In the 20th century, it was destroyed as a result of revolutionary battles. The post-revolutionary years, periodic bombing during the Patriotic War served this as well. At this time, there was also a lack of funding. Now the main zoo of the country occupies 21.5 hectares. Within the walls of the institution there are more than 5100 different animals - there are more than 1133 species.
Now the founders are actively engaged in repair and reconstruction. Many pavilions and exhibitions have been opened recently. Animals are periodically replenished with outlandish species. There are plans to equip each enclosure with a video camera for round-the-clock online broadcasts. Reconstruction works of the crossing bridge are also underway. The construction of such a pavilion as "China" begins. Vending machines with animal feed are provided. Special applications are currently being developed.
What to see
It is best to start your tour by visiting the Old Territory. The main entrance - various types of waterfowl have found shelter here. Near the coast, where the bottom is shallow, flamingos move primly. By the pond, which is located next to the pavilion, there are jaguars and tigers. The very first thing that visitors will see when entering the zoo is the Big Pond, where there is a large proportion of waterfowl. They live here both in winter and summer. This is available through powerful compressors that maintain the required temperature in cold weather. But in winter here you can see ice-free wormwood.
Local inhabitants are inhabitants of unique natural areas. Amazing small bird houses are also located here. This is the place where birds prefer to live. If offspring appear, then the chicks, along with rare birds, are caught, and then transferred to a closed aviary, which is located with walruses. Everyone will be impressed by a giraffe named Samson - he enjoys increased attention of visitors, lives in an old pavilion, which was built in 1893.
As for the second floor, there is a museum of the entire history of the zoo. Animals are allowed to be observed live, without bars. Penguins and various types of parrots live in the Bird House. Children will be delighted with the sloth. An eared seal weighing 600 kg will also arouse interest - it is in the pool, where all the pinnipeds are. The luxurious Elephant House, which is equipped with a pool, shower and fountain, houses Asian elephants - 2 females and a male. They were brought from Vietnam.p>
Do not pass by the exhibition called "Night World" - there you will see nocturnal animals. In the corner, which is located to the right of the main entrance, there are such animals as: vicuñas, llamas, capybara rodents, alpacas. There is also a circle for pony riding in this area. Another sector is Aracholandia, which is home to spiders. Be sure to see the enclosures with bears, wildebeest, tapirs, snow goats. There are also cats of various sizes - snow leopards, leopards.
See also the rock of birds of prey, an exhibition of amphibians, a greenhouse. You will be interested in cranes, ostriches, cassowaries, storks. If you have passed all the Old Territory, then you can now go to the new one.
There are ponds here - small, large - near them there are pelicans. Furry polar bears have a lot of people. The island of animals is located in the very center of the zoo. On its square you can see Asian lions, polar wolves, Amur tigers, Himalayan bears. Everyone will be interested in striped hyenas, jackals.
The upper area is the Exotarium, where there are exhibitions with aquariums and luxurious fish. Turia Gorka - a camel and a horned goat live here. At the “Savannah Animals” exposition you can see a large walking field inhabited by giraffes, zebras, ostriches, antelopes, and meerkats. The primate house has 35 species of monkeys. Of particular interest will be the orangutan, as well as the gorilla family.
In the children's zoo there are turkeys, geese, chickens, roosters, sheep, goats. Throughout 2017, the zoo will be reconstructed. And it is planned to open it in 2018. After all the work, there will be a couple of contact areas, a cafe, an open lecture hall, a playground.
Unique expositions
In addition to indoor, summer enclosures, the zoo also has thematic exhibitions dedicated to certain classes of animals. On the territory you can see the following exhibitions: p>
- Terrarium - it contains various snakes, iguanas, turtles, impressive crocodiles
- Butterflies, birds. The insectarium, where both invertebrates and insects are located, will be remarkable here.
- Exotarium. Various types of fish are presented here.
How to get there
This can be done by public transport. Landmark - Krasnopresnenskaya metro station, Barrikadnaya - if you are going to get there by public transport. And if by car, the main entrance to the zoo is between Barrikadnaya and Krasnaya Presnya streets. But there are other inputs as well. P>
Opening hours and ticket prices
From April 1 - every day. 9 to 8 pm. From May to the end of August every day from 7.30 am to 8 pm. In the New Year work without days off. The price of an adult ticket is 500 rubles. Tickets can be purchased both online and at the box office. You can go through the turnstile using the Troika. P>
